Controlling Varroa Mites in the Honey Bee, Apis Mellifera

Varroa jacobsoni (Oudemans) (=V.destructor) is a parasitic mite of honey bee Apis mellifera (L.), that has had a catastrophic effect in honey bee populations, commercial pollination and the beekeeping industry across the U.S. and worldwide. The objective is to develop alternative methodologies to control Varroa through systemic and contact introduction of essential oils through a unique delivery system. The product will be based on formulations developed in collaboration between S.A.F.E.R and D and the USDA-ARS Biochemistry Research Unit in Albany, CA. The technology is a novel process that it will encapsulate microscopic droplets of the oil in a semi-permeable digestible carrier. The end product will be a dry powder formulation that carries up to 25% of the active ingredient and the capsule size will be 15 microns (about the size of a pollen grain). The capsules will be mixed with powder sugar, pressed into a thin layer and fed to the bees. The goal in the Phase II is to ensure that the encapsulations will affect the mites both as a contact barrier on the adult bees and also work systemically when fed to the larvae reducing mite reproduction in the brood cells. Preliminary data obtained in Phase I demonstrated that the oil was present on adult bees and it was transported to the larval gut. This novel delivery system will provide beekeepers with a simple method to effectively treat colonies for Varroa infestation with a minimum cost in labor expense and no new equipment needed.